Before I lived in Paris, I was one of the staunchest indoor people ever. And then, to stave off the effects of croissants, patisserie and driving everywhere, I started running up and down the Seine towpath a few times every week. You really start to notice the ever-changing beauty of the things around you and Autumn is such a wonderful time to be walking dogs.
We haven't yet had a frost here. It's expected any day soon but in the meantime there's a chance to view the wonderful fungal structures that have popped up all over the place. I caught sight of the bouquet on my run this morning and came back with my camera on the dog walk. Dogs often don't appreciate the local flora to the same extent as me. One stray set of paws and the ephemera have had their brief time on earth.
There was an added frisson today, though, because Lewisham Council shut the golf course yesterday and Raffles was allowed to run around off the leash for the very first time without fear of him being hit by or, more likely, picking up a ball in play and running away with it.
Our gain is very much the Lewisham Golfers' loss, though. This was the last remaining public golf course in Inner London. The council no longer wish to finance the upkeep of what they consider an elitist sport. What a pity. And it means that these beautiful, mature trees between the links are set to be bulldozed to make way for a lake and...new trees. Which doesn't really make a huge amount of sense. There are rumours of other shenanigans too but, as a resident of neighbouring Bromley, I don't know enough to make any accusations here.
Walking up the hill to the mansion at the top, we came upon a load of protestors, who are staging a sleep-out Occupy-style protest to try and remind Lewisham of its duty to keep the cafe and lavatories open as an amenity to park users. They told me that the bulldozers' action is being challenged in court and that they'd be there until the outcome of the case is known. They are asking for volunteers to spend a couple of hours with them this week. I might just go, public protest being a thing of mine.
In the meantime, do enjoy the photos of a foggy, smoggy London morning walk.

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